Electric switch



1,491,655 A. P. BALL ELECTRIC SWITCH 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Vlam. Y

April g2, 1924.

Filed May .1

April 22, 1924o A. P. BALL ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed May 1I 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 A. P. BALL ELECTRIC SWITCH April 22, 1924.

4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Mayy l, 1919 11111.15 llilll! f Y fl Patented Apr. 22, 1924.

' laatst ALBERT P. BALL. on nova?. OAK, Niemann, Assienon fro SQUARE n company, on

' DETROIT, MICHIGAN, .a coaponarron oai/ricamati.

n-Lncrrnic Swingin.

Application filed May 1,

To all ywhom t may concern:

Be it known that'l, ALBERT P. BALL, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Royal Oak, inthe county of 1Wayne and State of Michigan, yhave in ventedy certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following isi'a'full, clear, and concise description thereof. My invention relates to electric switches which maybe manually or automatically operated'and ofthe enclosed type orof the open type. A It is an object of my invention to provide such a switch which will always have a quick break'whenever the connection betweenthe contacts' is ruptured. "Such a break will minimize the burning of the contacts arcing.

Another object of my invention is to provide 4a' switch in which complete closure of the Vswitch contacts must be effected before the force Ioperating to close the switch is removed, else the switch contacts will be auto- `matically opened. This'l willprevent-leaving the switch incompletely closed with consequent lhigh contact resistance followed by heating or burning of the contacts.

Another object of my invention is tocooperate in a single structure both the above desirable features and to thereby produce a positive make quick break switch which may be readily used alone and associated with fuses and enclosures. l

Other objects of my invention appear in reading the following specification along with'the drawings. A v In the drawings, I'have shown three embodiments of my invention, each of these embodiments comprising a mnlti-blade switch of knife blade'type enclosed in a suitable housing and provided with means to insure that the switch contacts 'are completely closed when the force is removed from the i v with the switch blades almost compl'etel).Y

operating handle. l/Vhile these embodiments are applied to knife blade switches, it

is apparent that the invention is not limited to switches of the knife blade type, but that the invention is broad and may be applied to switches of other than the. knife blade type. kI, therefore,"desire that the drawings shall be considered merely as illustrative and .ot in -a'lirniting sense, and that my inven- 1919. serial No. 293,936. l

Y the interior.

' Fig.` 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig.

l` with the contactslin'the' saine vrelative position. Fig. 3 is a perspective yview of the switch and associated parts shown inv Fig. :1, the

switch being in closed position.'

Fig. i is "a diagrammatic illustration showing the relation of parts as Vthe oper-- ating `craiilr'inoves the switch fcontacts toward theclosed position, such' relation be.`

ing assumed when the/*cranky isim'oved from the position shown inFig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows the parts shown-in Fig. 4 with the' lswitch 4blades almost :completely closed. l' L Fig'. 6 shows the relation of these parts' when the 'operating crank'has beenl moved to conditiontheswitch for opening.

Fig..7 is a 1secondem'bodim'ei'it'of my invention, the switch'contacts bein'gshown in open position and theJ cover of the switch boX opened'to disclose the interior.

Fig. 8'is a section'on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7 with the contacts in the same relative position.

Fig. is a perspective view of the switch and associated parts' shown in Fig?, the switch being in closed position.

Fig. 10 is 'af diagrammatic illustration showing'the relation vof parts as the operating crank inovesthe switch'contacts toward the closed position, 4such relation being vassumed when thecrank is moved from the positionv shown in Fig; 8.

Fig. ll'sh'ows'the parts shown in Fig. l0

closed. l

Fig. l2shows the relation of these parts when the operating crank has been moved tol ycondition the switch'for opening.' i

Figl is a'third embodiment of my in vention, the switch contacts heilig shown in open position and the cover ofthe switch boX opened to disclose the interior.

suA

Fig. 14 isa section on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13 with the contacts in the same relative position.

Y Fig. l is a sectional view on the line 14--14 of Fig. 13 showing the switch closed. Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the relation of parts as the operat- Y ing crank moves the switch contacts toward the closed position, such relation being assumed when the crank is moved from the position shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 showstheparts shown in Fig. 16

Vwith the switch blades almost completely closed.

Fig. 18 shows the relation of these parts when theoperating crank has been moved i so Vto condition the switch for opening, and

pole switch and has fuse contacts 23, fixedV blade receiving jaws 24 andV .fixed pivot Vposts 25. Mounted in the side walls 26 of the switch casing 20 is an operating crank 27 having an exterior handle 28. This crank interior of the boi: is of bail or U- shaped contiguration and is mounted with its axis approximately in line with the pivot posts 25. Pivoted on the posts 25 are the movable contacts 29 which are adapted to bridge from the posts 25 tov the fixed contacts 24. Beneath each of the ivot posts 25 and fastened to the insulating base V22 by the same screws, or other devices, as are used to hold the posts 25 in position, l have placed a substantially i'iat anchorage 30 of sheet metal. This piece of metal entends outwardlyas shown in ',Fig. 3, being'provided with outwardlyT and upwardly extending prongs 31. A coil spring 32 is held in position by Ybeing placed under these prongs 31. This springis also placed under the knife blade 29 and reacts against the knife blade some distance removed from the axis of' the pivot posts. These springs 32 are for the purpose of urging the switch blade 29 away` from the fixed contact 24, thereby providing a switch which is always biased toward the open position.

This spring and support l find to be a very convenient arrangement Vfor accomplishing the purpose,' as it may be incorporated in the structures of the existing type with prac tically no change otherthan the mere as-y sembly of parts as no Vre-arrangement is necessary.

generally Intermediate the switch blades 29 and onY the insulating base 22, l have mounted a retaining device which is adapted to coopeiate with parts to be described in order to retain the switch blades in closed position against the biasing of contacts by the spring 32. Thisretaining device `in the form here shown comprises a small housing member 33 formed of a single piece oi sheet metal by bending upwardly two opposite walls 34 and folding the ends 35 oi those walls at iight angles thereto. Each of the walls 34 is provided with a hole 36, and in this hole l have loosely mounted an element 37, this element having a hole or opening V38 which S is made by striking out a projection 39. A spring 40 is fastened in any suitable fashion vto the housing 33 and is engaged'with the projection 39 to bias the element 37 against the inwardly beiitends 35. Y

Each of the blade contacts 29 has'asso-k ciated therewith a connecting device 41, one portion of whichis adapted to be fastened tightly to the blade and another portion 42 of which is adapted to clamp a crossarm in position. These clamps, of which` there is one for each blade, are' arranged interme-V` diate the ends of the blade.

enough to extend across all the blades. This rod or crossarni 43 carries insulating sleeves 44 which are clamped into position` by the clamps 42, whereby the switch contacts may be operated in -unison and are insulated from one another.

lnterinediate the 'sleeves 44,V I have mounted two lwashers 45 and intermediate these washers a link 46 is pivoted to the metal rod 43, one end of this link being provided with an elongated s101547, the operating crank 27 being passed through the slot 47. The other end of the link 46 has a hook-like configuration, and -in the form shown this hook has a sloping surface 43 whichis adapted to move the element i37 against the action of the spring 40 as the switch is moved toward the closed position, as for example,Y as shown in ',Fig. 5. This hook-like end also has such configuration that the element 37 may be passed by the point 49 of the hook andr retain the hook in the position shown in Fig..3. Y

The cover 21 is providedrwith an L-shaped member 5() which is adapted, when the cover is in closed position, to limit the opening movement of the switch crank 27, and to thereby prevent the crank and movable switch parts from moving too far in the open direction. One side wall 26 of the box is provided with an angle iron projectionl which is adapted to limit the extreineopeny ing movement of the switch operating crank when the cover is opened. The switch may.

be locked in the openv position by moving the crank 27 into engagement with the pro- V The crossarin l comprises a metal rod 43 which is long ica 'pas' shown in Fig. 2, and that it is `desired to close the switch, th'eoperating handle 28 is moved in a clockwise direction from'thel position vshown in Fig. 2 to that shown in 'F ig. 4. During this movement the switch contacts will remain in the same relative position as before for the crank 27will trav- .erse the length o1" theslot 47 in the link 46.

The linky 46 will, however, be oscillated upon the crossarm 43 as a pivot. Vhem'however, the crank 27 hasl traversed theentire length of the slot 47 further movement of the han- .dle in the direction of the arrow in F ig..4

will move the switch contacts toward the closed position. About the same time that the contacts first engage, the sloping' surface 48 onthe lower end of the link 46 will engage the upper end ofthe element 37.

Further movement of the crank will force Ythe switch blades home and will swing the element 37 on its pivot 36 against the action of the small'biasing spring 40 to the position shown-in Fig. 5. The operating means, however, must. be moved a little further, for were the hand now to be removed from the crank 28, the springs 32 would vthrow 'the' switch Ablades to open position.

If, howeventhe pressure from the operating .crank is continued the. link 46 will have moved so far, that the spring 40 may throw the element 37 to the position shown in Fig. '3'when the hook 49 will have engaged with the hole` 38.l In this positionthe spring 32 cannot act to open theswitch as the'switch is positively retained closed bythe engagement of the hook 49 4with the retaining device. When it is desired tol open the switch` rtherswit'ch crank 27 is movedl counterclockwise, or in the direction of the arrow, as

.shown in Fig. 6. During this movement the crank 27 will traverse the slot 47 and will oscillate the link 46'upon` the bar 43 asa pivot. This will remove the hook 49 from engagement inthe hole 38 in the element 37 and the parts .'are'so arrangedthatsuch disengagement of the `hook is accomplished at about the same time as the other vend of the slot 47 is reached 'by the operating Vcrank 27. @As soonas this releasing takes place the springsj32 will act to snap Athe switch open insuring a 'quick break. The slot 47 provides a lost motion device so that the opening movement of the `switch contacts cannot be hindered by the'operator after he has once placed the apparatus'in condiy y the slot 6l.' lhen -in this positifm', the spring 66 which tends'fto biasthe contacts open, will be resisted byAY theengagement tion for switch opening. T he coniiguration of the retaining means and-linkmechanism is suchfthat the switch contacts 29move continuously' in directionl `invbcth openingV and closing, therejbeing no retrograde movement.

Referring now to the vmodified form switch structure shown in Figs. 7Vand 8, it

will be apparenti that "I vhave'shown a two' y pole externally operated enclosed switch associated with fuses asbefore.

j The blades 29 are interconnected byA a suitable crossarm comprising a metal rod 52 and two insulating sleeves 53, the sleeves being `clamped to theblades by mea-nsof .a suitable connecting device54. Intermediate the sleeves I have mounted a washer 55 and a collar y56, the` collar having a circumierential groove 57 therein. lA link 58 is pivoted on'the rod 52, the link- 58 `being provided at one end with a sl'ot59 to` provide a lost motion device in 'cooperation with the switch operatingcrank 27 VThe insulating base 22 supports intermediate the fixed contacts 24 a retaining device which comprises abifurcated post, one arm60 of-which is provided with an open notch 61' andwith an outwardly bent lip 62. Theother arm 63 of the post is of spring materia-lnflexible relative to the first arm' 60and has-alip 64 as shown.

Theend of the link 58 opposite the slot i 59 yhas a struck out shoulder portion 65, .i

which is adaptedV tobe received ywithin the notch 6() when the switch is inl completely closed position, and to resistthe elect of the spring which biases the switch toward the open position. This spring 66 is preferably coiled, vas shown, and mounted onthe insulating base 22,v intermediate-the pivot posts 25, one end of Vthe spring being fastened at 67' and; the other'end 68 being engaged in the circumferential,groove 57- of the collar 56. rlhis spring tendsto assume the position vshown in Fig. 8, thereby keep` ing the contacts in openposition, the spring being compressed when the switch is closed', asshown in Fig. 9.

The operation ofthis modified' formiofV switchis'similar to that of the modification previously described* Considering fthe switch in the open position shown invFi'g. 8 and it is desired to closethe switch, the crank,V 27 will be moved' clockwise to the position. shown in Fig. l0. "Thiswipll turn the link` 58 upon the Vrod 52 until the crank move the shoulder 65' past f the lip 62 on Vthe post 60 until the parts assume the'positiony shown 1n [F ig'. 1l'. jjFurthr Vmovement i will cause the springarm 63v of `the -bifurlcated post to inov'euthe shoulder portionA 65 intoengs-igement with the upper edge of of the shoulder and slot.' The opening movement of the crank arm 27, Aas shown in Fig. 12, will turn the link 5301i the rod -52',. thereby disengaging .the shoulder` 65 from the Ynotch 6ft, and permitting the spring 6 6 to snap the switch open.

Referring `now to the modiricdfV form of switch shown in `Figs. 1.3 to 18, inclusive,

it'will be apparent that l have shown atwo ,pole externally operated enclosed switch as-4 sociated with Vituses as before. The movable contacts 29 are connected byV a suitable crossarm which includes a metal rod 69 andsuitable insulating sleeves 7G .which are connectedfto the blades by any suitable connecting device 7l. The insulating sleeves 70 are spaced from one another a suitable distance to accommodate four washers 72, a spring 73 intermediate the washers and a link mechanism 74. This link mechanism as shown comprises two substantially flat pieces oi metal held tol kgethcr by rivets at 7 5. Each of these links pas wrapped around the operating crank nearY each oi the side walls 26 oi'. the enclosing casing 20. One end 78 of these springs is fastenedv preferably to the side wall 26 and the other end 79 isv passed. through a hole near the end of the `rod 69. These-springs bias the switch contacts toward the open position. y .Y

On the insulating base 22 and intermediate the fixed contacts 24C, I have mounted a rigid retainer or post 80 adaptedto engage thehook shaped ends 76 of the link mechanismfll, and restrain the switch contacts froml movement under influence of the springs 77 after the switch contacts have been moved to completely closed position.v To provide VJfor this the-post 80 has two beveled vfaces-,8l which diverge from a point 82 toward a pair of shoulders 83. lntermediate these shoulders Vis a web 34 which supports the upper part of the post. VThe Voutline of this post is clearly shown in the'- perspective view. .of` Fig., 19,' vwhich view shows a three pole switch having the positive make'quickbreak'features shown in the two pole form inrFig. 13. y y

The modeotV operation or this embodinient of my invention is analogous to that of those previously described. "henit is de- Y sired to close the 'switch inv the position` shownin VFigure lllthe operating crank isl Vbrought into engagement with'the inner ,end

of the slots 7 6, whereupon the movable contacts 29 are moved into engagement with the fixed contacts 24?. During this movement the hook shaped ends 76 engagethe surfaces 81 of post Y8O. As these surfaces are diverging the hooks7 6 will be forced apart thereby compressing the springs 73. lWhen the switch is in completely closed'p'osition, as shown in `Fig. r15, the hooks 7 6 have been passed beyond the shoulders' 83 and the spring 7 3 has snapped the hooks behind the shoulders so lthat the spring 77 cannot open the switch'contacts. Reversal of the movement of the operatingmember 27 will permit the saine to travel through the slot 7 6 and oscillate the link mechanism on the rod 69 4as a pivot, as shown in FiglS, thereby Vfreeing thehooks 76 from the shoulder 83 and permitting the springs 77 to snap the rcontacts open.v

t will be noted thatl the springs 73 operate against the members of the link mechanism in such a way that they would assist thevsprings 77 in opening the switch wereV the Vswitch not completely' closed, Vand in some forms ot switches' where the quick break feature is not necessary, l may dispense with the springs 77, using vthe spring 7 3 to accomplish two unctions--that is,the spring 7 3 may be used to latch the switch in completely closed position, and also to push the movable contactsk freev of the fixed con-V tacts, it the movable contacts are not completely closed.V Y

ln the hree embodiments shownY in the drawings, l have illustrated enclosed knife blade switches with an operatingcrankpivoted inthe walls ofV the enclosure in aline-V ment with the pivotal mounting of the knife blades. lt is, however, to be understood that forthe vdevice be used vin lexposed 'switches injswitches o otherffthan theV vknife blade type, also theV switchoperating crank may be pivoted ata distanceiremote from 'the pivotal/mounting of Vthe Y knife Y* ,switch blades lare balanced on account of the symmetrical mountingoi theblades, biasing this is not a necessary part of my invention,

springs and link mechanisms, and'y that the 1 contacts move continuously in direction ink either opening or closing.

Iclaim; i

l.. Ina switch,.stationary and movableV contacts, a crosshead carrying :said movableV contacts, an operator, lost motion means connecting said operator andrsaid crosshead,

and means for interposing resistance to the closing movement of said operator by ob# structing'the movement of said lost motion means. l Y

V2. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, a crosshead carrying said movable contacts, an operator, means loosely asso.- ciating said operator and said crosshead, and means for interposingresistance to the closing movement of said operator by ob-y structing the lmovement of saidlost motion means and for thereafter positively latchingy said movable contacts in eXtreme closed position, said loose association contributing to the unlocking of said 'latching when said operator is moved in a switch opening direction. y Y v 3. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, a crossheadA carrying'said movable contacts, an operator, pivotally mounted lmeans connecting said operator-and said crosshead, means for interposingresistance to the closing movement of said operator by obstructing the movementof said lost inotion means, and for thereafter positively latching said movable contacts lin extreme closed position, and means associated withsaid pivotally mounted means for positively iinlatching said movable-,contacts when said operator is moved ina switch opening di` rection.

4. Inl a switch, stationary and movable contacts, a crosshead for said movable .contacts, an operating member for saidswitch, means connecting said operator and cross- Vhead, said means being pivotally movable with respect to said crosshead and Vhaving a lost motion connection with said operator, and latching means to hold said mov'- able 'contacts in closedVV position, said last named means being engaged as said piv' otally movable means pivots about said crosshead. Y'

'5.A In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, the movableA contacts being biased to open position,a crosshead carrying said movable contacts, an operating crank for closing and opening said switch, a member mounted on said crosshead and' slidably connected to said'crank member, engageable means on one end ofnsaid member, and means for engaging' said engageablemeans,

onlyafter a `complete closure of the movable contacts.

6. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, the movable contactsbeingbiased to p'en position, -a crosshead carrying said movable contacts, and meansfopposing' the biasing action and vlocking said Vcontacts closed onlyafterfthe same have been com-y pletely closed, said meanscomprising a link movably vmounted [on said' crosshead, means for engagingV and lajtchiiig'f` the end of said link' which is adjacent thecrosshead, and an `jierater ,loosely connected to said link to swing the same into and out of engage- Y ment with said latching means.

.7. vIn combination, a switch having -a plu-I rality of liXed and movable contacts, a crossarm rigidly connected to the movable contacts and insulated therefrom, means biasing said movablegcontacts to 'theopen position, al link mechanism carried bythe crossarm, a retainer cooperative :with 'said Vlink ,mechanism to opposesaid biasing.

means, and a switch operating means to close said switch and setup such opposition and to open said switch by disengaging said mechanism from said retainer. f

8 Incombination, a switch having a plur'alityV of fixed Sand movable contacts, fa

'se i crossarm rigidly connected tothe movable contacts and insulated therefrom, means comeans, 'anda switch operating means-to closev said switch fand set up lsuch ,opposition and to open said switch by disengaging said mechanism `from said retainer, said biasing means exerting substantiallyy the, sameforce onl each ofthe movablecontacts onopening of the switch.

9. In combination, a switch having a plu' rality vof fixedV and movable contacts, `aY

crossarm rigidly connected to the movable contacts and insulated therefrom, means biasing said movableV contacts to'theV open position, a link `mechanism carried by the crossarm, a retainer cooperative with said link mechanism Y tol oppose' said biasing means, anda switch operating means coo erative with said crossarm to' uclose said switch and set up suchopposition and to o-p'en said switch by disengaging said mechanism from said' retainer, fsaidvoperating' means being arranged to exert substantially the same force on each of the movable contacts in closing the switch; n l p 10. In combination, a switch having 'a msr lit)

plurality of iiXed andmovablecontacts, a p

crossarm rigidly connected to the movable Vcontacts and insulated therefrom, means biasing saidinovable contactsto -the open position, arslotted link mechanism pivotally carried by the" crossarm,a retainer cooperative withsaid 'link mechanism'to oppose said biasing means, and a switch operatingv means cooperating withsaid link mecha`v nismk and crossarm to'move'lsaid contacts to -close said` switch; and set up such opplosii tion` and to open saidV switch by'- rocking said mechanism on the crossarm-'to 'dis'- engage said mechanism fromf'said retainer,

said mechanism being slotted' to 'permit quick break.

i1. The @mana-,ion `Wan an velectra switehhaving? ixed and mcvable contacts,

said kcontacts beingl biased to open position,

and anV operating means for said movable contacts, of means' for insuring complete Y closure of said movable contacts, said means comprising a link pivotally mounted relativeto said movable contacts and a fixed retainer, one of the aforesaid parts of said insuring means being yieldable to 'permitrelativeV movement of said parts only in one direction in a single `path whereby they may function, Vsaid operating means and link intereiigaging during the opening movement of the operating means to oscillate thev link and disable said insuring means, said relative movement being in a different jpath. Y

,12. The combination with an electric switch having fixed and movableV contacts,`

said contacts being biasedto Yopen position,

' and an operating means for said movable contacts, of means 4for insuring complete i closureio'f said movable contacts, said means comprising a link pivotallyA mounted. relative to said movable contacts and a fixed retainer, one-of the aforesaid partsof. said' insuring means being yieldable to permit relative movement of said parts only in one direction in a single path vwhereby they may function, said operating means and link,

interengaging during the opening movement of said operating means through alost motion connection to oscillate the latter and disabie said insuring Ameans, `said relative movement being in a'different path whereby the opening movement of the movable contacts is sharp. Y

13. in combination, an electrical switch having a plurality Yof Xed and movable contacts, said contacts being biased to open position, Va crossarm krigidly connected to said movable contacts and insulated therefrom, a crank, a link pivoted on said crossarm and slidingly connected with said crank, said link being provided with a hook on the-side thereofopposite said crank, and

means adapted to engage and retain said Vhook when the switch is completely closed,

14C. In combination, anv electrical switchY Yhaving a plurality of fixed and pivotally ,ist

mounted contacts, said pivotally mountedV side thereof opposite said crank, and means adapted to'engage and retain the hook when the switchk is completely closed, the openingmovement of the Vpivoted-crank rocking said linken said crossarm to disengage the mentioned means. Y

15. ln a switch, stationary contacts, mov-- able contacts, meansfor applying closing' pressure to bring said contacts into engagesaid contacts being biased to open and operating means for said mova lecon- Y hooked end of the linkV from the lastment comprising a link engaging said mov-Vv able contacts and pivotally mounted ywith respect thereto, and means for interposing resistance to said closing movement just as saidy engagement begins, said means changing from an obstructing to anengaging re-I lation with said switch closing means upon `an increase in said closing.pressurel and y theswinging of said'link about its pivotal mounting.

16. ln a switch, stationary contacts, mov-V able contacts, p tacts into engagement comprising a link engaging said movable contacts andy pivot- Y ally mounted with respect theretok. and means for interposing resistance toy said means for closing .said coni closing movement just as said engagement .v

V.begins and forengaging said switch closing means after saidpclosing engagement is sub-l stantially completed.

l ,Y i B5 1 7. The combinatiy n with an Velectric switch having fixed Vand rmovable'contacts,

said contacts being biased to open positionl and operating means for said `movable contants, of means for insuring Ycomplete clorsure ofV said movable contacts said means comprising a hooked link pivotally mounted n relative to said movable contacts, and a pivotally mounted biased element having anV opening therein and cooperative with ,the

` hooked link wherebymovement of the link in one direction may displace the element against its biasing to permit the hooky to enter said opening, the `biasing returning the element to itsnormal positionpand engaging the hook. y Y f f 18. TheV combination with 'an electric switch having fixed and movable contacts, Y

tacts of means for insuring complete closure of said movable contacts, said means com-k prising ahooked link pivotally mounted relative to said movable contacts, anda pivotallymounted biased Velement `having an opening ositionY therein and cooperative withthe lhooked link whereby movement of thelink inl one direction may displace the element against its biasing to permitfthehook to enter said, opening, the biasing returning the element.

to its normal position and. engaging the hook, said operating means'being connected to said link through a lost motion device, whereby the link may be oscillated to remove the hook from its cooperative element thereby lpermitting the first named biasing means, to function.

i9. inV a knifecbnae Saiten ha-ting .af

1 knife blademounted pivotally on ay postvand means fastening sadl post in fiXedp'osition,

the combination therewith of -a spring to.

bias said blade to one position and a mount-j ingdevice for said spring, said mounting device comprising` aV substantially yflat sheet of metal having outwardly and upwardly 20. The combination of a switch having-aA fixed and movable contact of' means of insuring complete'closure of the switch said means comprisingba first fixed part and a.

second part mova le with the movable contact, one of said parts including a spring pressed element, the other art carrying an element cooperating witii the' spring pressed element to remove the movable contact from the fixed contact,the other of said parts further including a positive locking shoulder cooperative with the spring pressed element to positively hold the switch closed.

2l. In a mechanism for positive make quick break switches, alink having at one end a hook, and at the other end an elongated slot, and provided near the first end with an aperture.

l22. In an electric switch having a plurality of movable contacts, a metallic crossarm, insulating sleeves, connecting devices to clamp such sleeves in spaced relation on the crossarm and tov support the movable contacts, and a link mechanism mounted on the crossarm intermediate the sleeves, said mechanism including a member hooked at one end and slotted at the other.

23. In an electric switch having a -plurality ofV movable contacts, a metallic crossarm, insulating sleeves, connecting devices to clamp such sleeves in spaced relation on the crossarm and to support the movable contacts, a link mechanism mounted on the crossarm intermediate the sleeves, said mechanism including a member hooked at one end and slotted at the other, and means associated with the link mechanism where` by the movable contacts are manually operable in one direction.

In an electric switch having a plurality of movable contacts, a metallic crossarm, insulating sleeves, connecting devices to clamp such sleeves in spacedv relation on the crossarm and to supportthe vmovable contacts, a link mechanism mounted on the crossarm intermediate the sleeves, said mechanism including a member hooked at one end andV slotted at the other, and means whereby the movable contacts are urged in one direction. y.

25. In an electric switch having a plurality of movble contacts, a metallic crossarm, insulating sleeves, connecting devices to clampv such sleeves in spaced relation on the crossarm and to support the movable contacts, a'link mechanism mounted on the intermediate the. sleeves, said mechanism including a member hooked at one end and slotted at the other, means whereby the movable contacts are urgedin one direction, and means cooperating with said hooked end to oppose said urging means only when the movable contacts are in an eXtreme position.V Y

26. In a switch, stationarycontacts, movable contacts, an operator, a link pivotally mounted .with respect to said movable con` tacts and having a lost motion connection with said operator, means for insuring the complete closure of said movable contacts,

comprising a spring adapted to be engaged by' said link only when the movable con-v tacts are pressed home with an appreciable force.

ALBERT P. BALL. 

